Dirigible



A. C. NHKANOVICH.

DIRIGIBLE. APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2s, 1920. 1,395,051. 'Patented Oct.25, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INV ENTOR @f1/ff@ wITNEssfs.-

, A. C. MIKANOVICH.

DIRIGIBLE.

APPLICATIONFILED NOV. 23,1920. 1,895,051, Patented 0015.25, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESSES.

ALEXANDER C. MIKANOVICH, F CLEVELAND. OHIO.

DIRIGIB LE.

Leaaosi.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 25, lfl.

Application led November 23, 1920. Serial No. 425,992.

T0 all -w/zom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER C. MIKA- nomen, a citizen of Hungary,residing` at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Qhio,have invented new and useful Improvements in Dirigibles, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to dirigibles, and

has particular reference to the passenger carrying type, the inventionproviding a construction possessing maximum strength, and wherein thepassenger carrier is effectively and rigidly supported to insure safety.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understoodwhen the following' detailjdescription is read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, the invention residing in the combination,construction and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application like numerals ofreference indicate the similar parts in the several views and wherein: ve

.Figure 1 is a side elevation of the dirigible constructed in accordancewith'iny invention. l

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of one of the rims.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in elevation taken at right-angles to Fig.4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the connection betweenthe rims of the passenger carrier.

In accordance with the present invention the dirigible embodies aplurality of substantially rim-like members which are suitably spacedapart as shown in Fig. 1. Each rim-like member comprises a hub 10 fromwhich radiates spokes 11, each of the latter including two sectionswhich are suitably connected together by means of a turn buckle or thelike 12. Arranged within eachhub are opposed bracing elements 13 and 14respectively which have arranged between them the connecting rod 15which holds the rim-like members suitably spaced apart. Each rim-likemember is made up of two frames or sections A and B respectively, whileeach section comprises a plurality of units 16, the sections may ofcourse be made from any suitable material, al-

though the units 16 are constructed of metal and preferably of angleironformation as shown. The units 16 of section A intersect thecorresponding units of the section B, and are bolted or otherwisesuitably secured at their points of intersection such as at 17. Theadjacent ends of the respective units of each section overlap and areprovided with squared openings through which pass tubes 18 which arepreferably of rectangular formation in cross section. The spokes 11radiate from the hub 10 of each rim-like member and are connected to theunits of the section B at the point of connection between the adjacentextremities thereof, and also connected with the said units at a pointapproximately midway between the ends. lVlanifestly, by reason of therelative arrangement of the units 16 of the respective sections A and Ba plurality of triangles are outlined by the intermediate portion of theunits of section A of the adjacent extremities of the units of sectionB, which construction affords the dirigible maximum strength andrigidity. The construction just described is of course concealed by theflexible covering 19, while it is to be understood that gas bags(notshown) are to be arranged Vbetween the rim-like members. Any numberof rim-like members may be employed, this of course depending upon thesize of the dirigible.

The rim-like members have their ends spaced apart adjacent the bottom ofthe dirigible, these ends connected together by horizontally disposedmembers 20 which are of preferably angle formation. These members 20constitute what I term a base for the structure, the units 16 of thesections of the rim being connected to the base as at 21. It is fromthis base that the passenger carrier is suspended, the carrier beingmade up of a plurality of frame like members 22 and 23 which aredisposed relatively to provide a hall 24 at the opposite sides of whichare cabins 25. The carrier in its entirety is suitably connected to thebase by means of the supporting elements 26, while the base of thestructure of the members 20 are connected with the adjacentv spokes 11radiating from the hub 10. As shown in Fig. 1 the cabins are providedwith windows 27 while the under side of the dirigible is equipped withdoor openings 28 through which passengers enter and leave the cabins.Arranged beneath the passenger carrier is a gas supply tank 29 whilecarried by the carrier at the forward and rearward ends thereof aremotors 30.

It is quite obvious from the foregoing description that I have devised aconstruction of a passenger carrying dirigible that possesses maximumstrength and rigidity to insure safety, and while I have shown anddescribed what l consider the preferred embodiment of the invention ldesire to have it understood that l do not limit myself to what isherein shown, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired, asfall within the scope of what is claimed.

What I claim is l. A dirigible including a plurality oi rim-like membersspaced apart, each member comprising sections made up of a plurality ofangularly disposed units, the units of one sectionV intersecting thecorresponding units of the other section and secured thereto, parallelelements connecting the adjacent eXtremities of the units oi eachsection, a hub, adjustable elements' radiating from the hub andconnected with the sections of each member, and a eXible covering forsaid structure, and a passenger carrier supported by said members.

2. A ldirigible including a plurality of rim-like members spaced "apart,each member including sections made up of angularly disposed unitsconnected together, a hub for each'member, and spokesradiating from thehub andvconnected with the sections of said member, opposed bracingelements carried 1n each hub,` a connecting rod passed through the hubsof said members and arranged'between said bracing ele-f iarly disposedunits, a hub, and spokes radiating fromrthe hub and connected with saidunits, the units of one section intersecting the corresponding units ofthe other section and secured thereto, parallel rods connecting theadjacent terminals or" each section, a series of triangles, horizontallydisposed Velements connecting the terminals of said members andconstituting ay base, a

passenger carrier and supported by said base, and a flexible coveringforV said structure. 5

4. A dirigible including a plurality of rim-like members spacedl apart,meansV for holding said members spaced, each member comprising sectionsmade up of angularlyl disposed units, parallel rods connecting theadjacent terminals of the units of each section, the units of onesection intersecting the corresponding units of the other section andsecured thereto, theadjacent terminals Vof the units of one sectionbeing disposed above and in a point midway between therterminals of theadjacent units of the other sec` tion, a hub for each member, spokesradiating from the hub and connecting the units of said sections, thepassenger carrier supported by said members, and a flexible covering forsaid structure. j In testimony whereofl aliiX my signature. ALEXANDER C.vlWIKANOY/'ICIL

